The Ospreys handed a first ever start in their colours to summer signing Barry Davies and 21 year-old second-row Richard Kelly, while Nikki Walker and Ben Lewis made their long awaited returns from injury. Amongst the 14 Ospreys replacements were four more new arrivals, Ross Davies, Liam Davies, Tom Isaacs and Jerry Collins, as well as 17 year-old Porthcawl High School pupil Tom Prydie.

The visitors from the Guinness Premiership included recent signing, England World Cup scrum-half Andy Gomarsall in their starting XV, along with former Newport Gwent Dragons back rower Rhys Oakley and ex-Scarlet outside half Ceiron Thomas.

Prior to kick-off, there was a minute’s silence as the teams paid tribute to the mother of Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard who passed away suddenly this week.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes where the two teams sounded each other out, the visitors opened the scoring from the boot of Thomas. However the lead lasted just two minutes before some flowing rugby from the Ospreys allowed winger Jonny Vaughton to touch town in the corner, Dan Biggar converting to put the Ospreys 7-3 in front.

Just five minutes later the lead was extended, strong running by Nikki Walker in midfield creating the opportunity for new boy Barry Davies to score his first try in an Ospreys shirt, with Biggar once again adding two points.

The deficit was reduced three minutes before the break when Leeds turned defence into attack, moving the ball from their own 22, before full-back John Goodridge touched down under the posts to allow Thomas an easy conversion, making the score 14-10 to the Ospreys at half-time.

Both sides made a host of changes at the break, with two Ospreys replacements almost making an immediate impact, Jerry Collins strong run into the 22 setting up Gareth Owen who was held up short as he went for the line less than a minute after the restart. The try did come a minute later though, Jamie Nutbrown picking up at the base of the scrum and cleverly stepping away from Gomarsall to claim five points, Owen converting.

Samoan back-rower Alfie To’oala then touched down from close range to make the score 21-15, Thomas striking the upright from the conversion attempt. Just a minute or so later, Ben Lewis was able to intercept and race home unchallenged to mark his return with a try, the Ospreys fourth of the game, Owen converting, before a free flowing match produced another try in the 53rd minute, Luther Burnell the scorer. Again, Thomas missed the conversion.

Sonny Parker was the next Osprey to touch down just after the hour, following up on a kick and chase by Owen to show some nifty footwork to bring the loose ball under control before falling on it ahead over the covering Leeds defence. Owen then made it three out of three conversions to extend the lead to 35-20.

Some good work by Ashley Beck in his own 22 released Parker who carried the ball past halfway before chipping forward. Vaughton looked certain to score his second of the afternoon after showing an impressive turn of pace to win the chase for the loose ball, only to find himself hauled down on the tryline, knocking the ball forward in contact.

As the wholesale replacements continued, the game lost it's shape and pattern, but it was the Ospreys who ended the game the happiest, and will go forward to next Saturday's trip to Gloucester with a good win against Guinness Premiership opposition behind them.

Ospreys replacements:
Ryan Bevington, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Ross Davies, Scott Baldwin, Ian Gough, Jerry Collins, Tom Prydie, Sonny Parker, Ashley Beck, Gareth Owen, Liam Davies, Tom Isaacs

Leeds Carnegie replacements:
Rob Rawlinson, Gareth Denman, Phil Swainston, Jon Pendlebury, Joe Bedford, Jason Strange, Scott Armstrong, Henry Paul, Alfie To'oala, Danny Paul, Scott Mathie, Phil Nilsen, Phil Murphy, Tom Denton